No New Contracts Offered

11 May 2018

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It has been confirmed that none of the seven members of the first-team squad who will be out of contract this summer will be offered a new contract.

Following news announced yesterday that experienced trio Ian Evatt, Sam Hird and Drew Talbot are to leave the club, confirmation that the following quartet will also depart: Josh Kay, Giles Coke, Dylan Parkin and Jack Brownell.

Director & company secretary Ashley Carson revealed the reason behind the decision to release all seven out-of-contract players. He said: "When we spoke to the short-listed candidates for the managerial vacancy, they all supported the view that we needed a fresh start following relegation.

"They advised that we should not offer contracts to any of the players whose deals are due to expire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players who are leaving us - some of whom have given many years' service to the club - and wish them all the best for the future."

Kay made 11 appearances after being signed from Barnsley in January while an injury limited Coke to just two appearances after signing as a free agent in February.

Goalkeeper Parkin featured regularly on the substitutes bench after graduating from the academy, without making a first-team appearance. Young midfielder Brownell, who also came through the academy, made a solitary appearance as a substitute against Charlton at the end of the 2016/17 season.